The Philadelphia 76ers, just like the rest of the league, are closing in on training camp. With Media Day having already started for some teams, the 2025-26 season is basically already upon us, marking the start of a new campaign for all 30 ball squads.
Expectations for the 76ers, however, have vacillated from a mere play-in team to a potential returnee to the contenders’ circle. But that is to be expected, especially since the front office followed up a year where they finished with the fifth-worst record in the league with a string of moves in the offseason that was far from impressive and perhaps even lacking sense in the grand scheme of things.
But having said that, some have had it rougher. That is most certainly the case with some former 76ers players who are now close to seeing their careers in the NBA come to an unceremonious halt. Now, it seems like there is another player familiar to fans suffering the same fate.
As first reported by Hoops Hype’s Michael Scotto, the Utah Jazz have waived forward KJ Martin after just a very brief stint with the franchise.
Former 76ers forward KJ Martin suffers brutal setback before training camp
Martin spent the 2023-24 season and the first half of the previous campaign with the 76ers, appearing in 82 outings for the team. He was traded to Utah before the trade deadline for cap relief reasons, although he did emerge as a productive role player off the bench before getting shipped to the Jazz.
He was a major part of the Jazz’s rotation during his 19 appearances therein last season, but it was easy to see why they cut him before training camp opened. He had a non-guaranteed $8 million contract for this season, and with their team looking to give more minutes to their new and young players, keeping Martin was never really an option.
Of course, the timing sucks for the former Sixer. Most teams have already loaded up on Exhibit 10 deals as they aim to conduct their respective auditions for roster spots during the preseason, so those spots are probably few and far between at this juncture.
Hopefully, KJ Martin gets to entice an NBA team to take a gamble on him. After all, he did show encouraging signs with the Philadelphia 76ers, and on the right team with a more ideal personnel, he should be able to thrive thanks to his mix of athleticism and hustle.